By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham City Council’s deputy leader and the councillor in charge of finance are both stepping down from their roles as part of major changes in the authority’s senior leadership team.
Cllr Sally Longford (Lab) will no longer be deputy leader and Cllr Sam Webster (Lab) has also stood down as portfolio holder for finance.
Cllr Webster was first elected to the executive in 2015 and has overseen a range of services, including education, adult social care, city centre management and finance.
He will pass on the responsibility to Cllr Adele Williams, who currently looks after adult social care.
She will also replace Cllr Longford as deputy leader of the council, a position she has held since May 2019.
Cllr Longford will remain portfolio holder for energy, environment, and waste services.
Cllr Longford said: “After three years as deputy leader I’ve decided to step down from this role.
“However, I will still be leading the council’s climate change, carbon reduction and sustainability efforts in my role as portfolio holder for this area.
“The role of deputy leader has at times been very challenging but rewarding, and it’s been a real privilege to have held such a key position for our great city. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the people who have supported me in these interesting times.”
Cllr David Mellen will remain as leader of the Labour-led council, but a number of councillors will be brought into the senior team.
Cllr Eunice Campbell-Clark, who was portfolio holder for leisure, culture and schools and Cllr Rosemary Healy, who was portfolio holder for highways, transport and cleaning services will no longer be in the executive.
Cllr Mellen said: “Being elected to serve is an honour and Sally, Sam, Rosemary and Eunice have carried out their duties on my cabinet with pride and passion.
“Although Sam, Rosemary and Eunice have chosen to stand down from the executive this year, I know that they will continue to dedicate their efforts to the residents in Castle, Mapperley and Bulwell Forest.”
Cllr Audra Wynter, who has chaired the council’s audit committee for the past two years, joins the executive for the first time, alongside Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, who has previously served as an executive assistant.
Cllr Toby Neal also joins the executive team having previously been on the executive up until 2019 and has since been chair of the council’s licensing committee and vice-chair of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
The new executive arrangements will come into force on Monday, May 9, at the council’s Annual General Meeting.
The new executive team at the council will be:
| Councillor David Mellen (Leader) | Portfolio Holder for Strategic Regeneration and Communications |
| Councillor Adele Williams (Deputy Leader) | Portfolio Holder for Finance |
| Councillor Sally Longford | Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services |
| Councillor Rebecca Langton | Portfolio Holder for Skills, Growth and Economic Development |
| Councillor Linda Woodings | Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health |
| Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis | Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning |
| Councillor Toby Neal | Portfolio Holder for Housing and Human Resources |
| Councillor Audra Wynter | Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Parks |
| Councillor Neghat Khan | Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion |
| Councillor Cheryl Barnard | Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Schools |
